Restaino challenges Ceretto's 'campaign of personal destruction'

by jmaloni

Edited press release

Thu, Oct 11th 2012 08:35 pm

Robert Restaino

New York State
Assembly Candidate Bob Restaino, D-Niagara Falls, held a press
conference Thursday to refute what he called negative campaigning
tactics by his opponent, Assemblyman John Ceretto. Restaino predicted
voters will reject what he called his opponent's "filthy
character assassinations."

"Our community
needs someone who isn't afraid to do what's right. I've got
news for Ceretto: People in WNY need a fighter, not a shrinking
violet who stands around while the Senecas rip off local taxpayers,"
Restaino said. "I was hoping we could focus on the issues that
affect our families instead of being sidetracked by such personal
attacks."

Restaino was
referring to his opponent's recent campaign literature that
bombarded the district in rapid succession featuring Restaino as
wrapped too tight to be an assemblyman.

"I grew up at a
time when everyone showed more respect for each other. The cellphone
incident personified a lack of respect," Restaino said. "Sadly,
we've lost a little bit of that somewhere along the way. If Ceretto
really cared about respect, he'd have stood up to the Seneca's
lack of respect to us taxpayers."

While a Niagara
Falls City Court judge, Restaino was involved in an incident wherein
he jailed members of his courtroom after a cellphone went off. He was
subsequently removed from the bench by the New York State Commission
on Judicial Conduct. This has been the subject of direct mail pieces
sent out by the Ceretto camp.

"I own a small
business in downtown Niagara Falls, so I know firsthand how
disrespectful it is for others to be rudely talking on their
cellphones," said Sylvia Virtuoso, owner of Guido's Upholstery
and Decorating Store. "It's time we have a leader in Albany who we can respect
and who will stand up for what's right. I know that Bob Restaino is
that leader."

Restaino said he
is running on a platform of working with Gov. Andrew Cuomo to
redesign Medicaid, obtaining the $100 million owed to the region by
the Seneca Nation of Indians, increasing the minimum wage, cutting
taxes, protecting health care, securing more state aid for local
schools, eliminating the Grand Island Bridge toll, fighting to keep
locally produced power in Western New York, encouraging cross-border
tourism and rebuilding the local economy and infrastructure.

"This city is
struggling and we need someone with a little passion - if that
hurts John Ceretto's delicate sensibilities, too bad," Restaino
said. "Our region needs real leaders, not another empty suit who
just needs a job."